Good Day
Cedar Rapids
Tuesday, January 6th, 2026
Good morning, Cedar Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 6th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Ellis House will transform the old Mirror Box Theatre on Ellis Boulevard by opening its film, photo, and content studio on March 1 and leasing its front space for a local coffee or tea shop by June. Owner Robert De Corah plans community events & creative gatherings for the neighborhood. KCRG
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Deja Brew Coffee House and Bakery is coming soon to Cedar Rapids by joining The Pines Pizza and Pub at 4100 River Ridge Dr NE; the coffee shop will operate opposite hours while the pub maintains its regular schedule (details posted on Facebook). KDAT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Marcus Theatres will celebrate National Popcorn Day on Jan. 19 by offering free large popcorn to moviegoers who buy a ticket at any of its 78 locations. The promotion includes popcorn-themed games and scratch-off cards redeemable for concession prizes from Feb. 1 — Feb. 28. CBS 2 Iowa
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Gas prices in Iowa dropped 3 cents per gallon to $2.31 last week at over 2,000 stations statewide, marking a 27.4-cent fall from a month ago; national averages also dipped slightly to $2.74. CBS 2 Iowa
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Cedar Rapids Board of Education met Monday to review a two-part budget plan for 2026-2027 that proposes an intermediate school model for 5th and 6th grades and additional cuts. Families can share feedback via a survey open until Jan.7, with more board discussions planned on Jan.12, Jan.19 and Jan.26. CBS 2 Iowa
- ➤ The Cedar Rapids School District is considering closing seven elementary schools to save $6 million annually as part of a plan to cut over $10 million from its budget, with final decisions set for Jan. 19. Officials (reviewing community input) plan to guide school consolidation over time. KCRG
- ➤ Facing declining enrollment and an $11 million deficit next school year, the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) is considering consolidating schools and creating intermediate schools for fifth and sixth graders; it will hold four meetings through January, including a special vote on Jan 26 on consolidations. KCRG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ County supervisors are moving to approve a rezoning agreement for the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Palo so NextEra Energy can invest in local safety and infrastructure plus create 400 jobs before the planned reopening in late 2028-2029. The agreement sets a path for the facility to benefit the community. KCRG
- ➤ Linn County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Monday on the rezoning application for the Duane Arnold Energy Center. The plant, shut down in 2020, is set to reopen by 2029 under a 25-year deal with NextEra as Google prepares to purchase its energy, and additional sessions are scheduled. CBS 2 Iowa
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Farmers facing high stress and mental health challenges are urged to connect with family, neighbors & professionals as local organizations like Iowa State University and FarmAid expand hotlines and telehealth counseling options to ease their stress. KCRG
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Eastern Iowans have shared soup favorites this winter from local Facebook groups, including Napoli’s Tomato Basil soup available in Cedar Rapids and Marion and Cellar 19’s rotating specialties—community members can try other picks at neighborhood diners. KDAT
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ An annual housing report shows that Linn County roommate households climbed to 7,092 in 2025 from 6,700 in 2010 and 5,300 in 2000. The data, gathered by Maxfield Research + Consulting, indicates that shared housing is rising as cost savings and a sense of community drive more residents to live together. The Gazette
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Chris Thile Concert
7:30-10 p.m. — The Englert Theatre — $30 – $68 — Experience the genre-defying musical genius of Grammy Award-winner Chris Thile in an evening of captivating performances.
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Waterloo Black Hawks vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
7:05-9:05 p.m. — ImOn Ice — Check the FloHockey broadcast for all the action as the Black Hawks take on the RoughRiders in a thrilling hockey matchup.
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Spanish Conversation Practice Meetup
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Vineria Wine Shop — $3 off wine and pizza — Enhance your Spanish skills and connect with fellow language enthusiasts over happy hour specials.
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BIRDCHILD Concert
8-11 p.m. — The Ideal Theater & Bar — Tickets available — Experience Birdchild's lush, joyous journey through all your favorite hits.
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Men's Caregiver Coffee
10 - 11:30 a.m. — The Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia — Free — A supportive group for male caregivers to share stories and network.
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Moonlight Owl Walk
5-6:30 p.m. — Buffalo Creek Park — $5 per adult, $2 per child — Explore the moonlit path in search of chatty owls while learning about their adaptations.
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Fireside Circle: The Spirits of Winter
6-8 p.m. — Illuminations — $30 registration — Explore the prominent spirits of winter through Scandinavian, Germanic, and Celtic mythology.
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Community Writers Circle
1-2 p.m. — Hiawatha Public Library — Free entry — A supportive environment for adults to hone their writing skills.
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Tim's Comedy Show
1:30 p.m. — The Olympic South Side Theater — Tickets available — Experience high-energy comedy from a seasoned performer with a unique perspective on life.
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4-Day PMP Exam Preparation Course
9 AM – 5 PM — Iowa Eye Center — Course Fee Applicable — Enhance your project management skills with a comprehensive PMP certification training.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Cedar Rapids
Welcome to the Good Day Cedar Rapids, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Cedar Rapids, Iowa community. If you like the Good Day Cedar Rapids, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Cedar Rapids.
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